Devghat seemed to have a sad note yesterday. Elderly people everywhere, in their eyes I could see not a freedom but frustrations and despair; a wait for their revival...
The story is completely different today. 'm on the way to Kalika Temple which is situated at the Hilltop, around 3kms up from the base. MaulaKalika Temple. 'm not here for a religious tour, 'm a nature lover.
'm still on the way, and so far, the major difference I've found here and in Devghat, is the presence of youth. I can see teenagers coming here in group, people celebrating, singing songs on the way; completely different from Devghat where I could see only the wrinkled faces and Kirtans of God.
More on the way.... (1200 Hrs)
I wonder why the revered Gods always preferred to remain at the Hilltop. Or is it because people have this conception that higher the altitude, more powerful is the godly power. On the way, at the base, there were two temples- Ganesh and Krishna temple, but I could hardly see people around there. Thousand gods, and millions of devotees; devoted to unknown.
The upward journey is comprised of 3.5 km of foot-steps; built perfectly of stones. The best part is, there are rest areas and drinking water facilities built at every 10 mins of distance. For a thirsty, people who arranged these drinking outlets are more than a god, even more than that superpower resting at the top. Up we go...
At Khageshwor Chautari, (2km up from the base, 1:5 down from the top). Just talked to Bishnu Chhetri, a roadside vendor here, who sells cucumber, fruits and stuffs like that. He has been selling these stuffs for more than three years now and earns a profit of more than ten thousand a month. This resting spot built some three years ago rejuvenates a wonderful energy to continue the journey upwards or down to the base. There are two small school kids, studying at third standards, in their school uniform having fun around this place. When asked if they have bunked the school, they proudly and happily replied 'yes'. I wonder what has made them to bunk their class.. Ill-tempered teachers, bad system at schools or the uncaring parents, whatever, they seem to love their freedom now, they are enjoying the bliss.
One interesting fact about the temple, I heard from Bishnu ji, is that Baba Ramdev had visited this place a year ago. He strongly raised his voice against the slaughtering of animals in the name of devotion to the goddess. Since then the temple administration has banned the practice. Even then, a group of locals here, including Bishnu ji, are against it, and they put forward their logic that the practice should be revived. To appease the protestors, the temple administration has allowed the slaughtering, but not officially by temple personnel, but locals they themselves bring necessary weapons and do it outside the temple premise. Traditional wrong beliefs, deep rooted, are very hard to demolish.
Khagendra Chautari, Bishnu ji further speaks; this place was without any facilities four years ago, but the temple administration along with volunteer support from the devotees have completely changed the look.
I thanked Baba Ramdev for his effort, the temple administration and the kind devotees who all have made this place a beautiful place to visit.
After a bite of cucumber, here we proceed up towards the unknown. (1300 Hrs)
At the Helipad (1km down the top). A local woman said it is rarely used when VIPs are invited for any important functions in the temple. From the helipad, the steps-way is divided into two sides up to the top, I guess, by a 2 meter wide plantation of flowers and rare plants. From the inscriptions, I can read that whenever a visitor arrives here, it's a tradition that they plant flowers or a rare shrub here to mark their participation in save the tree campaign. I am impressed by the cleanliness, greenery and the peace here. It is just one example of how people can play a big role in the development. All the facilities here, including the drinking water project, the helipad and this step-way have reportedly been built by the locals and devotees from the various parts of Nepal. Steps continue... (1333 Hrs)
Finally, at the top.
Probably, this is the reason, why being at the top feels so good and lonely at the same time. The pain, struggles through the way, all vanish when you reach here. Yet, the sky stills remain high.
The MaulaKalika temple looks new. At the first sight, it resembled like the temple in Manakamana. Probably, it has been built in the similar style. A wide compound, that has the temple at the centre, a tower room that highlights a big photograph of Baba Ramdev, a small cottage that reads 'pigeons available here to fly', and a small building with underground rooms, probably the quarter for priests here. The compound has enough built-in iron chairs where devotees can take rest and a cool drinking facility. The floor is clean and big trees around provide you enough of oxygen to feel alive. This temple is probably the best temple I have ever seen in terms of cleanliness.
From the top, I can see Devghat on the one side and Narayanghat-Bharatpur on the other side. The crowd looks so small from the top, so powerless and tiny that they look beautiful, yet not so important. The top fascinates.
Blogging from this compound at the moment, I feel 'm away from burdens of hectic life, but the reality is - I will have to go down some way, in any way. Life becomes easier and rewarding when we take the burdens as an opportunity; journey inspires me to get more alive with every miles I walk. Living is different from being alive.
I entered the temple, and prayed for those elderly people I saw in Devghat yesterday, for those elders in Biratnagar Old Age Home who will soon lose their place of stay if they fail to buy a new one. The one that they are staying at, costs more than 2 crore which they can never afford and for the new place, they need at least 25 to 40 lakhs, which they are looking forward from everyone in the society.
Sometime, praying becomes more important than believing or not believing in the god. Without belief, I still pray, even if there is no one to hear, it may at least awaken the human in me.
Time to make the returning steps ...(1430 Hrs)
Pictures later...
(Blog created on-the-go; typed from a mobile device, hence, apologies for a number of grammatical mistakes here).
The story is completely different today. 'm on the way to Kalika Temple which is situated at the Hilltop, around 3kms up from the base. MaulaKalika Temple. 'm not here for a religious tour, 'm a nature lover.
'm still on the way, and so far, the major difference I've found here and in Devghat, is the presence of youth. I can see teenagers coming here in group, people celebrating, singing songs on the way; completely different from Devghat where I could see only the wrinkled faces and Kirtans of God.
More on the way.... (1200 Hrs)
I wonder why the revered Gods always preferred to remain at the Hilltop. Or is it because people have this conception that higher the altitude, more powerful is the godly power. On the way, at the base, there were two temples- Ganesh and Krishna temple, but I could hardly see people around there. Thousand gods, and millions of devotees; devoted to unknown.
The upward journey is comprised of 3.5 km of foot-steps; built perfectly of stones. The best part is, there are rest areas and drinking water facilities built at every 10 mins of distance. For a thirsty, people who arranged these drinking outlets are more than a god, even more than that superpower resting at the top. Up we go...
At Khageshwor Chautari, (2km up from the base, 1:5 down from the top). Just talked to Bishnu Chhetri, a roadside vendor here, who sells cucumber, fruits and stuffs like that. He has been selling these stuffs for more than three years now and earns a profit of more than ten thousand a month. This resting spot built some three years ago rejuvenates a wonderful energy to continue the journey upwards or down to the base. There are two small school kids, studying at third standards, in their school uniform having fun around this place. When asked if they have bunked the school, they proudly and happily replied 'yes'. I wonder what has made them to bunk their class.. Ill-tempered teachers, bad system at schools or the uncaring parents, whatever, they seem to love their freedom now, they are enjoying the bliss.
One interesting fact about the temple, I heard from Bishnu ji, is that Baba Ramdev had visited this place a year ago. He strongly raised his voice against the slaughtering of animals in the name of devotion to the goddess. Since then the temple administration has banned the practice. Even then, a group of locals here, including Bishnu ji, are against it, and they put forward their logic that the practice should be revived. To appease the protestors, the temple administration has allowed the slaughtering, but not officially by temple personnel, but locals they themselves bring necessary weapons and do it outside the temple premise. Traditional wrong beliefs, deep rooted, are very hard to demolish.
Khagendra Chautari, Bishnu ji further speaks; this place was without any facilities four years ago, but the temple administration along with volunteer support from the devotees have completely changed the look.
I thanked Baba Ramdev for his effort, the temple administration and the kind devotees who all have made this place a beautiful place to visit.
After a bite of cucumber, here we proceed up towards the unknown. (1300 Hrs)
At the Helipad (1km down the top). A local woman said it is rarely used when VIPs are invited for any important functions in the temple. From the helipad, the steps-way is divided into two sides up to the top, I guess, by a 2 meter wide plantation of flowers and rare plants. From the inscriptions, I can read that whenever a visitor arrives here, it's a tradition that they plant flowers or a rare shrub here to mark their participation in save the tree campaign. I am impressed by the cleanliness, greenery and the peace here. It is just one example of how people can play a big role in the development. All the facilities here, including the drinking water project, the helipad and this step-way have reportedly been built by the locals and devotees from the various parts of Nepal. Steps continue... (1333 Hrs)
Finally, at the top.
Probably, this is the reason, why being at the top feels so good and lonely at the same time. The pain, struggles through the way, all vanish when you reach here. Yet, the sky stills remain high.
The MaulaKalika temple looks new. At the first sight, it resembled like the temple in Manakamana. Probably, it has been built in the similar style. A wide compound, that has the temple at the centre, a tower room that highlights a big photograph of Baba Ramdev, a small cottage that reads 'pigeons available here to fly', and a small building with underground rooms, probably the quarter for priests here. The compound has enough built-in iron chairs where devotees can take rest and a cool drinking facility. The floor is clean and big trees around provide you enough of oxygen to feel alive. This temple is probably the best temple I have ever seen in terms of cleanliness.
From the top, I can see Devghat on the one side and Narayanghat-Bharatpur on the other side. The crowd looks so small from the top, so powerless and tiny that they look beautiful, yet not so important. The top fascinates.
Blogging from this compound at the moment, I feel 'm away from burdens of hectic life, but the reality is - I will have to go down some way, in any way. Life becomes easier and rewarding when we take the burdens as an opportunity; journey inspires me to get more alive with every miles I walk. Living is different from being alive.
I entered the temple, and prayed for those elderly people I saw in Devghat yesterday, for those elders in Biratnagar Old Age Home who will soon lose their place of stay if they fail to buy a new one. The one that they are staying at, costs more than 2 crore which they can never afford and for the new place, they need at least 25 to 40 lakhs, which they are looking forward from everyone in the society.
Sometime, praying becomes more important than believing or not believing in the god. Without belief, I still pray, even if there is no one to hear, it may at least awaken the human in me.
Time to make the returning steps ...(1430 Hrs)
Pictures later...
(Blog created on-the-go; typed from a mobile device, hence, apologies for a number of grammatical mistakes here).
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